WELCOME TO ST. PAUL EPISCOPAL CHURCH

WELCOME. In the name of Christ, we offer you welcome to this church. May those who

sorrow, find comfort; the weary, rest; the troubled, peace; the stranger, friends; the unhappy, joy;

and to all, the sense of God’s presence in this Holy Place. If you are new to this parish community,

please give your name and phone number to the Rector or sign our guest register on the stand in

the back of the Church. As our honored guest, we want to welcome you.

THE SERVICE. There are two main books used for our service; the smaller red book is the Book

of Common Prayer and the larger blue book is the Hymnal. There is also a Gray Hymnal. They

can be found in the bookrack on the back of the pew in front of you. A Bible can be found at the

ends of the pew. The page / hymn numbers in the service bulletin help you find your place in

these service books. We invite you to participate fully in our worship.

RECEIVING COMMUNION. Holy Communion in the Episcopal Church is open to all who are

comfortable participating in the Communion of the Lords' Table. To receive communion, please

form two lines in the center aisle and approach the front of the altar. Please stand with one hand

cupped on top of the other to receive the consecrated bread from the Celebrant. Then step to the

side to the Eucharistic Minister and take the chalice and drink from it; or you may intinct the

bread by dipping it in the consecrated wine. If you do not wish to receive Holy Communion,

please come forward for a blessing (fold your arms across your chest to indicate that you do not

wish to receive Holy Communion). Return to your pew by way of the side aisles.

The Second Sunday of Advent December 10, 2017

9:00 a.m.

Opening Hymn “Comfort, Comfort Ye My People” Hymn 67

Call to Worship

Celebrant: Blessed be God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

All: And blessed be God’s Kingdom, now and forever.

Amen.

Celebrant: Receive God’s comfort, people of God! Speak

tenderly to each other – remember, it is time for the good

news of Jesus Christ to be made real in our lives.

All: Let’s prepare a way for God through the wilderness of

clutter, distractions, demands, and obligations, a straight

way through the desert of buying and selling and

guessing what will be good enough.

Celebrant: Let us prepare a heavenly highway for our God and

for God’s people!

All: One is coming who is wonderful and powerful and

present and peaceful! Emmanuel, Jesus, Savior, Infant!

Collect for Purity Prayer Book, page 355

Lighting of the Advent Wreath

SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT

Leader: Merciful God, who sent your messengers the

prophets to preach repentance,

All: And prepare the way for our salvation

Leader: Give us grace to heed their warnings and forsake

our sins, that we may greet with joy the coming of Jesus

Christ our Redeemer: who lives and reigns with you and the

Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Collect of the Day Insert

First Reading Isaiah 40:1-11 Insert

Psalm 85:1-2, 8-13 page 7 and 8 of bulletin

Second Reading 2 Peter 3:8-15a Insert

Gospel Hymn “Hark! A Thrilling Voice is Sounding” Hymn 59

Gospel Mark 1:1-8 Insert

Gospel Response “Prepare Ye the Way of the Lord (2 times)

Sermon The Rev. J. Patrick Peters

Nicene Creed Prayer Book, page 358

Prayers of the People

Prayer Leader: Gracious God, through your messengers the

prophets you have called your people to prepare the way of the

Lord and to welcome the good news of Jesus Christ, the Son of

God: Speak tenderly to your people that we may wait for and

hasten the coming day.

Prayer Leader: May the power of God's holy presence

clear a path through the rubble of broken lives and hearts

to make our world and all of us a new creation. For this

let us pray to the Lord.

All: Lord, hear our prayer.

Prayer Leader: May our gracious God be always for us a shepherd to console and comfort us, to nourish all

our deep hungers, and to make us live in peace forever. For this let us pray to the Lord.

All: Lord, hear our prayer.

Prayer Leader: May we come to find in the desert of our lives the gift of forgiveness and the waters of a new Jordan that bring cleansing refreshment. For this let us pray to the Lord.

All: Lord, hear our prayer.

Prayer Leader: May the God of John the Baptist and our

God continue to raise up holy prophets in our midst who

will tell the good news of saving rescue for all people.

For this let us pray to the Lord.

All: Lord hear our prayer.

Prayer Leader: May the God who is our future in the

gift of Jesus Christ hold us always in the embrace of

faithful love and bring us to new heavens and a new

earth. For this let us pray to the Lord.

All: Lord, hear our prayer.

Prayer Leader: Indwelling God, you have baptized your

Church with the Holy Spirit: Inspire us to lead lives of holiness

and godliness as we prepare for new heavens and a new earth,

that as Christ comes he finds us to be a people of peace and

justice. For this let us pray to the Lord.

All: Lord, hear our prayer

Prayer Leader: Compassionate God, look upon the needs of all

humanity: Feed your flock like a shepherd; gather the lambs in

your arms and carry them gently leading them that all may know the

comfort of your strength. For this let us pray to the Lord.

All: Lord, hear our prayer.

Prayer Leader: Ever-present God, lift up your voice with power to

herald good tidings to the people of this community to cast out all

fear as we listen for the happy cry of your coming salvation. For

this we pray to the Lord.

All: Lord, hear our prayer.

Prayer Leader: We pray for all bishops, especially Justin, the

Archbishop of Canterbury; Michael, our Presiding Bishop; Audrey,

our Bishop; James and Barbara, the Bishops of our Lutheran

brothers and sisters; Ronald, the Bishop of our Roman Catholic

brothers and sisters; clergy, especially Patrick, our Rector; Gina,

Ingrid, Sud, Tim, Mark, Peter, Beth, John, Priscilla, and Nancy, the

clergy of the Rim Parishes; and all our brothers and sisters of the

Rim Parishes. For this we pray to the Lord.

All: Lord, hear our prayer.

Prayer Leader: We pray for all who govern and hold authority in

this nation, especially Donald, our President; the Congress and the

Courts; Thomas our Governor; the Legislature of our

Commonwealth; our Borough Council; and Leo our Mayor and

those who hold authority in the nations of the world. For this we

pray to the Lord.

All: Lord, hear our prayer.

Prayer Leader: Compassionate One, open the heavens and come

down with your healing grace for those for whom we pray,

especially

(read the names of the sick listed on the prayer list. Also read

the names [if any] listed under “for the special needs of ….,”

read the names [if any] listed under the heading of “for healthy

pregnancy and safe delivery”)

(then say: “the congregation is invited to add others names aloud

or in silence”),

For this we pray to the Lord.

All: Lord, hear our prayer.

Prayer Leader: We give thanks for the grace and peace

that come from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ,

offering our special gratitude for

(read the thanksgivings [if any] listed on the prayer

list)

(then say: “the congregation is invited to add others names aloud

or in silence”),

For this we pray to the Lord.

All: Lord, hear our prayer.

Prayer Leader: May your angels gather your beloved into the day

of your triumph as we remember those who have died, especially

_.

(read the names of the departed listed on the prayer list)

(then say: “the congregation is invited to add others names aloud

or in silence”),

For this we pray to the Lord.

All: Lord, hear our prayer.

Continuing in the Bulletin, let us confess our sins against God and

our neighbor.

(pause slightly for the confession our sins)

Prayer of Confession and Assurance

All: Patient and eternal God,

to whom a day is like a thousand years,

and a thousand years like unto a day,

bear with us a little longer,

receive our confession, and forgive us our sins.

For you are not slow about your promises.

Though all things are to be dissolved,

you are ready to burst into your creation and

restore all righteousness,

revealing a new heaven and a new earth.

Let us wait for your coming day with joy and anticipation,

ever more ready to be about your work,

feeding the hungry, healing the sick,

visiting those who are abandoned by society,

sharing the good news of Jesus.

Let our best will and your perfect will unite in your service and

love. Amen.

Absolution Prayer Book, page 360

The Peace Prayer Book, page 360

Greetings and Announcements

Offertory

Presentation Hymn “Savior of the Nations, Come!” Hymn 54

Eucharistic Prayer B Prayer Book, page 367

Sursum Corda Hymnal S-120

Sanctus Hymnal S-129

Memorial Acclamation Mass of Creation

The Great Amen Mass of Creation

Our Father Celtic

The Breaking of the Bread Prayer Book, page 364

Communion

Prayer of Thanksgiving Prayer Book, page 366

The Blessing

Final Hymn “On Jordan’s Bank the Baptist’s Cry” Hymn 76

Prayer Requests December 10, 2017

Hospitalizations

Homebound

Delores Baker (Saint Anne); Helen Vollmer (Saint Anne); Ethel Edelman (Autumn House West);

Alverta Hossler (Home)

Intercessions

Sue Ellen; Ruth; Ethel; Alverta; Mickenzie; Renee; Mike; Kay; Robert; Brea; Sara;

George; Erika; Stephanie; Mike

Birthdays

12/11 Alverta Hossler; 12/14 Tom Hartman; 12/16 Jan Wood

Anniversary

Thanksgiving

Departed

Howard and Jane Fritz; Lauren Rousseau; Janice Allen; Frannie Ansalvish; Joanne Berntheizel;

Bonnie Baxter Wertz

For Those in Positions of Public Trust

President Donald Trump; Governor Tom Wolf; Mayor Leo Lutz; All legislative bodies & all

courts of law; for the leaders of all nations and people.

For our Bishops, Rector, and Parish Members

The Most Rev. Justin Welby, Archbishop of Canterbury and his staff; The Most Rev. Michael

Curry and his staff; The Rt. Rev. Audrey Scanlan and her staff; The Rev. J. Patrick Peters; the

staff and people of this parish, especially George Brommer; Leroy and Joann Fals; Sharon Peters

World Cycle of Prayer

12/10 Dominican Republic; 12/11 East Timor; 12/12 Ecuador; 12/13 Egypt; 12/14 El Salvador;

12/15 Equatorial Guinea; 12/16 Eritrea

Anglican Cycle of Prayer

12/10 Western North Carolina, The Rt. Rev’d Porter Taylor; 12/11Wiawso, The Rt. Rev’d

Abraham Ackah; 12/12 Willochra, The Rt. Rev’d John Stead; 12/13 Windward Islands, The Rt.

Rev’d Calvert Friday; 12/14 Wondurba, The Rt. Rev’d Matthew Taban Peter; 12/15 Worcester,

The Rt. Rev’d John Inge; Worcester-Dudley, The Rt. Rev’d Graham Usher; Winchester, The Rt.

Rev’d Tim Dakin; Winchester-Basingstoke, The Rt. Rev’d David Grant Williams; Winchester-

Southampton, The Rt. Rev’d Jonathan Frost; 12/16 Wusasa, The Rt. Rev’d Ali Buba Lamido

Ecumenical Cycle of Prayer

12/10 Conservative Mennonite Conference; 12/11 Evangelical Mennonite Church; 12/12

Evangelical Mennonite Conference; 12/13 Evangelical Mennonite Mission Conference; 12/14

Fellowship of Evangelical Bible Churches; 12/15 Mennonite Brethren Churches; 12/16 Mennonite

Church Canada

Diocesan Cycle of Prayer and Parish Cycle of Prayer:

St. John’s, Lancaster and their congregation; Victory Church, Columbia and their congregation

Companion Parish Cycle of Prayer:

Ecumenical:

Rev. Beth J. Costlow and the people of Saint John Lutheran Church, Columbia

Rev. Mark Kopp and the people of Saint James Lutheran Church, Columbia

Rev. Stephen Kelley and the people of Holy Trinity Roman Catholic Church,

Columbia

Rev. Anthony Swamy Anthappa, MSFS and the people of Saint Peter Roman Catholic

Church, Columbia

Rev. David Powers and the people of The Columbia Presbyterian Church, Columbia

Rev. Thomas Grubbs and the people of The Columbia United Methodist Church, Columbia

Rev. Patricia McAllister and the people of Mt. Zion A.M.E. Church, Columbia

Rev. Hub Smith and the people of The Columbia Christian Fellowship, Columbia

Revs. Gordon and Angie Misal and the people of Impact Christian Center, Columbia

Rev. Charles Deutsch and the people of Ironville United Methodist Church, Columbia

Rev. Mary Ann Kingsborough and the people of Concordia Lutheran Church, Columbia

Rev. Dione Kleptka and the people of Saint John Herr Estate Retirement Community

Rim Parishes of the Lancaster Convocation:

Rev. Priscilla Ginolfi, Deacon to the Rim Parishes

Rev. Gina Barrett and the people of Saint John Episcopal Church, Marietta

Rev. Ingrid Andersen and the people of Saint Luke Episcopal Church, Mount Joy

Rev. Sud Tiwari and the people of Saint Paul Episcopal Church, Manheim

Rev. Tim Small and the people of Hope Episcopal Church, Mt. Hope

Rev. Mark Scheneman and the people of Bangor Church, Churchtown

and the Revs. Beth Mollard, Pete Greenfield, John Emmert, Ellie Garner and Nancy

Rementer

Peace and Justice

South Sudan; Nigeria; Iraq; Israel; Kenya; Afghanistan; Palestine; Somalia; Iran; Libya; Syria;

Egypt; Tunisia; Yemen; Ukraine; Venezuela; North Korea; Turkey

Amount needed each week to meet the 2017 income budget: $2,976.00

Amount budgeted each week from fundraisers and investment income: $1,496.00

Amount needed each week in pledge and plate to meet income budget: $1,480.00

Amount needed each week to meet the 2017 expense budget: $4,011.00

Amount expected each week from fundraisers and investment income: $1,496.00

Amount needed each week in pledge and plate to meet expense budget: $2,515.00

12/03/17 12/04/16

St. John Herr Estate 24 14

9:00 a.m. 31 49

55 63

Weekly Impact: w/e 12/03/17: 291

Pledge and Plate: $ 951.00 $1,312.00

Friendly’s Fun Night: $155.00 (2017)

$145.00 (2016)

Be Thoughtful

Be Silent

Be Reverent….

For this is the House of

the Lord

Before the service,

speak to the Lord

During the service,

let the Lord speak to you

After the service,

speak to one another

December 16, 2017

5:30 p.m.

Lector: Darlene

Eucharistic Minister: Les

Prayers of the People: Charlene

December 17, 2017

9:00 a.m.

Lectors: Bea/Janet

Eucharistic Minister: Alf/Ralph

Crucifer: Christine

Server: Josie

Gospel Bearer: Georgie

Prayers of the People: Mary Lynn

Ushers: George/Ralph

Greeters: Evelyn/Ralph

Verger (Open): Janet

Verger (Close): Christine

THIS WEEK AT SAINT PAUL

Sun: 8:50 AM – Sunday School – Mary Elizabeth Bair Parish Center

9:00 AM – Eucharist – Preacher and Celebrant, Father Patrick

10:15 AM – Coffee Hour in the Mary Elizabeth Bair Parish Center

10:45 AM – Vestry Meeting in the Groome Room

4:00 PM – Youth Group Meeting in the Mary Elizabeth Bair Parish Center

Mon: 6:30 PM – Girl Scouts meet in the Mary Elizabeth Bair Parish Center

7:00 PM – Monday Night Adult Forum – Saint John Herr Estate Dining Room –

CHRISTMAS CAROL SING-ALONG

Tue: 6:30 PM – Food Bank Board Meeting in the Mary Elizabeth Bair Parish Center Conference

Room

Wed: 9:30 AM – Morning Prayer and Healing Service in the Rector’s Office

Thu: 12:00 PM – Lancaster Clericus, St. Edward’s, Lancaster

Fri:

Sat: 9:00 AM – Hanging of the Greens - Church

5:30 PM – Eucharist at St. John Herr Estate - Preacher and Celebrant, Father Patrick

Sun: 8:50 AM – Sunday School – Mary Elizabeth Bair Parish Center

9:00 AM – Eucharist – Preacher and Celebrant, Father Patrick

10:15 AM – Coffee Hour in the Mary Elizabeth Bair Parish Center

12:00 PM – St. Paul Pot Luck Christmas Party at Garth Gallery

PRAYER AND WORSHIP

THE ALTAR FLOWERS ARE GIVEN TO THE GLORY OF GOD AND IN LOVING

MEMORY OF: Howard and Jane Fritz by Michael and Sharon Fritz and Family.

THE CENTERPIECE ON THE BAPTISMAL FOUNT IS GIVEN TO THE GLORY OF

GOD AND IN LOVING MEMORY OF: Lauren Rousseau and all the Little Ones who lost

their lives at Sandy Hook School by The Evelyn Martin Family.

The Altar Flowers are available for the weeks of December 17; January 14, 21.

The Sanctuary Candle is available for the weeks of December 17, 24, 31; January 14, 21, 28.

The Bread and Wine are available for the weeks of December 17, 24, 31; January 7, 14, 21, 28.

Prayer Ministry: Please take an active part in our three Prayer Ministries:

1) Send those birthday cards to the people who have a birthday in December. The names

and dates were on the Prayer Calendar you received and there is also a list on the table in

the back of the church. Birthday cards are available in the back of the church or through

the parish office for a small donation.

2) Remember your prayer partners every day in December. Take the time to pray for them

and the needs that they may have. Just remember them and ask God to bless them.

3) The Daily Prayer Calendar was sent out for December. Please use it. Prayer changes

lives! Lots of prayer changes lots of lives! Your prayers are heard and answered! Pray

always!

Wednesday Morning Prayer and Healing Service: Our Wednesday Morning Prayer and

Healing Service begins at 9:30 a.m. and is held in the Rector’s Office. All are Welcome!

Hanging of the Greens and Decorating of the Church: Each year during the Advent Season a

dedicated group of volunteers work to accomplish the “hanging of the greens” in the church in

preparation for Christmas. This year, the “hanging of the greens” will take place on Saturday,

December 16 at 9:00 a.m. Please come and help us prepare. Many hands make the work go fast.

Father Patrick is treating to coffee and donuts for those who help.

Christmas Memorial Flowers: Included in last week’s bulletin was an envelope for Christmas

Memorial Flowers. Please return your completed information by Sunday, December 17 in order to

have them included in the Christmas bulletin. Thank you.

Columbia Christmas Walk-A-Mile: One of the great traditions of Columbia is its Annual

Christmas Walk-A-Mile sponsored by the Columbia Ministerium. This year’s walk will take place

on Monday, December 18 beginning at 7:00 p.m. We will begin at Saint Peter Roman Catholic

Church (121 S. Second Street). Following a reading from Scripture, a hymn, and a prayer, we will

walk to the lobby of The Saint Peter Apartments (Corner of Union and 4th Streets), Mt Zion

A.M.E. Church (222 S. 5th Street), Saint Paul Missionary Baptist Church (297 S. 5th Street), and

the Saint James Lutheran Church - ELCA (corner of 10th and Manor Streets). We will have light

refreshments and conversation at Saint James Lutheran Church following the service. At each

stop, there will be a Scripture reading, a hymn, and a brief prayer. Come and experience the

wonderful Advent and Christmas traditions of each church. This walk is open to all members of

the community – so bring a friend. Bring someone from outside of Columbia and let him or her

see how we come together in prayer at this most sacred time. (Please note that we will have a bus

for those unable to walk but who would like to participate in the Walk – the bus will leave from

Saint John Lutheran Church (corner of Locust and Sixth Streets) at 6:15 p.m. and return there after

the walk).

CHRISTMAS / NEW YEAR’S SCHEDULE

Saturday / Sunday, December 23 & 24 – Fourth Sunday of Advent

5:30 p.m. – Saturday – Saint John Herr Estate Chapel – Eucharist

8:50 – Sunday – Mary Elizabeth Bair Parish Center – Sunday School

9:00 a.m. – Sunday – Church - Eucharist

10:30 a.m. – Church – Final decorating of the church

(The Hanging of the Greens will take place on Saturday, December 16 – 9:00 a.m.)

Sunday, December 24 – Christmas Eve

2:30 p.m. – Mary Elizabeth Bair Parish Center – Children’s Christmas Pageant Rehearsal &

Birthday Party for Jesus

4:00 p.m. – Church – Family Christmas Festive Eucharist / Children’s Christmas Pageant

6:00 p.m. – Church – Christmas Festive Choral Eucharist

Monday, December 25 – Christmas Day

8:00 – 10:00 a.m. – Mary Elizabeth Bair Parish Center – Free Community Christmas Breakfast

10:00 a.m. – Church – Quiet Christmas Eucharist

Saturday & Sunday, December 30 & 31 – First Sunday After Christmas

5:30 p.m. – Saturday – Saint John Herr Estate Chapel – Eucharist

9:00 a.m. – Sunday – Eucharist

All are invited to share our table to be fed, nourished, and sustained during this Christmas and

Holiday Season. Come to the Table of the Lord to be nourished in Word and Sacrament! Come to

our table for Christmas Breakfast to be nourished in body and fellowship. All are invited! All are

Welcome! All are Expected! Bring a friend!

CHRISTIAN FORMATION

Sunday School: Our Sunday School - for children age 4 through age 10 is in session, Sunday,

beginning at 8:50 a.m. in the small classroom in the Mary Elizabeth Bair Parish Center. As

parents we commit to forming our children in the faith, so please sign your child / grandchild up

for Sunday School. Jenny Bair and Ericka Sipe are our teachers again this year. At the Sign of

Peace, our young people will leave Sunday School and come to the church to join their family for

the rest of the Eucharist.

Youth Group Christian Formation: Our Youth Group - ages 11 - 18 will have Christian

Formation meetings this year in addition to their regular Youth Group Meetings. Father Patrick

has worked with them and their parents to work out the best days and times (more information will

be available over the next few weeks). They also will be invited and encouraged to participate in

many of the Monday Night Adult Forum sessions especially the ones that can support their

Christian Formation growth.

-MONDAY NIGHT ADULT FORUM SCHEDULE-

December 11 CHRISTMAS CAROL SING-ALONG

Christians understand that the season of Advent is four weeks long,

and Christmas is only twelve days. That doesn’t give us much time

to sing those joyful Christmas carols in church, does it? Come join

us as we take the chance to do so tonight! Secular or religious,

we’ll hit as many favorites as we can. All are welcome, regardless

of whether or not we can sing on key!

Accompanist for the evening will be Randy Rudy, the organist from St. John’s Lutheran

Church

December 18 ANNUAL CHRISTMAS WALK-A-MILE

Saint Peter Roman Catholic Church

Saint Peter Apartments (Lobby)

Mt Zion A.M.E. Church

Saint Paul Missionary Baptist Church

Saint James Lutheran Church

A Light Reception to follow service (Parish Hall)

December 25 CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY—NO CLASS

OUTREACH MINISTRY

Food Donations: You are reminded to bring your food items to church each week so that on

the last Sunday of the month we can present them to the Lord for blessing and then give them to

our food bank. Whenever you go shopping, please add extra non-perishable items to your order

for this parish outreach ministry. Jesus never forgot the last, the lost and the least in his ministry

and neither can we.

Adult Cereals (less sugar) Peanut Butter Jelly

Soups Rice Boxed Potatoes

Spaghetti Sauce

Anything you can do to help would be deeply appreciated.

Food Bank Hours: Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday – 9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. The Food Bank

is closed on holidays.

Christmas Day Free Community Breakfast: On Monday, December 25, Saint Paul will host its

14th Annual Free Community Christmas Breakfast from 8:00 – 10:00 a.m. in the Mary Elizabeth

Bair Parish Center. This breakfast is open to anyone who wants to come together for conversation,

friendship, and food. Donations of food and time will be appreciated. There is a sign-up sheet in

the Mary Elizabeth Bair Parish Center on the Sign-Up Board.

Greeting Cards: Father Patrick is collecting old greeting cards that adults with autism and other

intellectual disabilities can recycle into new greeting cards. Don’t throw away your greeting cards

– just bring them to the church and put them in the box on the back pew. This will be an ongoing

outreach ministry project. Thank you.

Angel Tree: Once again, this year we are participating in the Angel Tree Project. The Angel Tree

is by the side altar in the church with angel tags on it. Each tag will have a need of the Columbia

Clothing Bank – an outreach ministry of The Columbia Presbyterian Church. Their needs are for

new socks for both men and women, new underwear for both men or women, and new blankets.

Please take as many tags as you can and then return the item (unwrapped) to under the tree no later

than Sunday, January 14. This is a very concrete way to help those in need.

ADMINISTRATION

Parish Office Hours: The Parish Office hours are: Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday – 8:00

a.m. – 2:00 p.m. The Office is closed on holidays.

Use of St. Paul’s Facilities: Guideline for Use of The Parish Hall and Church were put in your

mailboxes. Please call the Parish Office if you want to reserve the Parish Hall or Church.

Reminder: Please remember that when you use the Parish Hall nothing can be put on the walls or

the woodwork. Using scotch tape, duct tape, masking tape, and even some types of painter’s tape

has the possibility of pulling the paint off the wall or damaging the surface. Items can only be

placed on the wooden food bank cabinets or the metal kitchen window and its metal surround.

Only masking tape or painter's tape can be used on these surfaces. This applies to both parish

members and outside groups that use the hall and is clearly stated in the policy outlining use of the

parish hall or the church. Thank you.

STEWARDSHIP

If you have not yet returned your pledge card – your Declaration of Faith Card – please do so as

soon as you can. At their January 2018 meeting, the Vestry will approve a Faith Budget for 2018

and it helps us to know what will be given. “All Things Come of Thee O Lord; and of Thine own

have we given Thee.” The question always is – do we really believe what we say?

OTHER EVENTS

Attention Readers: St. Paul now has a small library located in the Mary Elizabeth Bair Parish

Center – Middle Classroom. Feel free to borrow a book (or books). When you have finished

reading it, please drop your book into the “Book Return” basket located to the left of the book

shelves. We have also included a donation box if you would like to make a contribution. Enjoy!

Thanks to Vickie Stump for all her hard work in organizing and setting up our library.

.

SOCIAL EVENTS

Annual Christmas Party: St. Paul’s Annual Christmas Party will be held next Sunday,

December 17th from 12 to 3 p.m. at Garth Gallery. This is a pot-luck meal so please bring an

entrée, salad, side dish or dessert to share. Please sign-up on the sign-up sheet on the Sign-Up

Board in the Mary Elizabeth Bair Parish Center.